MINI Cooper Complaints

4,588 consumer complaints on file.

#10509758April 27, 2013
STEERING
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED WHILE DRIVING. IT IS A COMBINATION ELECTRO/HYDRAULIC PUMP. ELECTRICAL BURN SMELL WAS EVIDENT. I ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT, AND LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CAR IN THE OTHER LANE OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. CANADA HAS MADE BMW MINI RECALL THESE AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509800April 27, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I PURCHASED A 2003 MINI COOPER FROM A PRIVATE PARTY IN THE DALLAS,TEXAS A FEW YEARS AGO. I JUST RECEIVED THE DREADED NEWS TODAY THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND IT WILL COST ME $6000 TO REPAIR. ACCORDING TO MINI THIS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHANGED DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD SO THIS WOULD BE THE 2ND TRANSMISSION FOR THIS CAR. THE REPAIR IS EQUIVALANT TO THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE 2 OR SO YEARS AGO. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY THIS PRICE AND UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURENCE WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE SO IT WOULD SEEM THAT A RECALL WOULD NEED TO BE ISSUED. OTHERWISE I HAVE TO ATTEMPT TO SALE THIS CAR AND TAKE A LOSS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509629April 26, 2013
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE POWER STEERING PUMP DOESN'T SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR DOES. THE PUMP RAN UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509578April 25, 2013
STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL STOPS TURNING WHILE MID-TURN. I TOOK THE CAR TO MINI OF SAN FRANCISCO AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE STEERING CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM, HAPPENING RANDOMLY WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509613April 25, 2013
ENGINE
I CURRENTLY HAVE AN OIL LEAK DEVELOPING FROM THE TURBO OIL LINE THAT HAS RESULTED FROM A FAILED O-RING WITHIN THE LINE ITSELF. DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, THE HEAT FROM THE TURBO WEARS AWAY THE O-RING, WHICH RESULTS IN OIL LEAKING FROM WHERE THE LINE IS BOLTED TO THE TURBO VIA A BANJO BOLT. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE IF THE LINE FAILS, THE TURBO BECOMES STARVED OF OIL AND BURNS UP, WHICH ULTIMATELY CAUSES THE WHOLE TURBO UNIT TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE OIL LEAKING ONTO THE TURBO HAS A POTENTIAL TO CATCH FIRE, SINCE THE TURBO BECOMES VERY HOT DURING NORMAL DRIVING. ALSO IF ANY OIL LEAKS DOWN TO THE EXHAUST PIPING UNDERNEATH THE TURBO, THOSE PLACES ALSO POSE A FIRE HAZARD. MINI RECOGNIZES THIS TO BE AN ISSUE, BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN ADD A HEAT SHIELD AROUND THE CONNECTION TO THE TURBO. THE LINE STILL HAS A RUBBER O-RING IN IT THAT WILL FAIL OVER REPEATED HEAT CYCLES, AND THE LINE NEEDS TO BE REDESIGNED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509336April 23, 2013
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING WHEN OUT ON THE CAR. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. ALSO, BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, THE STEERING/CAR WILL NOT STRAIGHTEN ITSELF OUT AFTER MAKING A TURN. ONE HAS TO MAKE AN EXTRA EFFORT TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL OUT. I ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR BECAUSE OF THAT PROBLEM. I SEE CANADA MADE MINI DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE AN INJURY OR WORSE BEFORE THE USA MAKES MINI RECALL THE CARS ? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509343April 23, 2013
STEERING
I WAS CHANGING LANES TO PREPARE TO EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK. AS I MADE THE LANE CHANGE NOTICED STEERING WAS TIGHTER. AFTER EXITING THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO STEER AT THE TOP OF THE EXIT RAMP. THE TURN MADE WAS VERY WIDE NEARLY MISSING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SUSPECT POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509110April 22, 2013
STEERING
HELLO, OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE STEERING ON MY 2005 MINI COOPER CUTS OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. THE WHEEL IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND IT OCCURS WITH NO WARNING. IT APPEARS THAT THE STEERING PUMP FAILS WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP. I HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL MAKING THE SAME COMPLAINT IN ONLINE FORUMS. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509112April 22, 2013
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TURBO OIL SUPPLY LINE FROM ENGINE TO TURBO LEAKING EXCESSIVE OIL REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN OF COMPRESSION FITTING LED TO PREMATURE FAILURE. CONTINUED OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE AND OR ENGINE TURBO FAILURE. MINI OF MARIN WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ONGOING ISSUES AND WERE TOLD THEY HADN'T HEARD OF THE ISSUE. CAR SMOKES UP IF DRIVEN SLOW. MUST BE ADDRESSED IN RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509168April 22, 2013
STEERING
POWER STEERING FAILED. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508975April 21, 2013
STEERING
I HAD PARKED MY CAR AT A DONUT SHOP AND WHEN I CAME OUT AND STARTED THE CAR AND GO, IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. I HAD TO CALL A FRIEND TO HELP ME TOW IT TO MY HOUSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509002April 21, 2013
STEERING
POWER STEERING FROZE UP CAR COULD NOT BE STEERED IN ANY DIRECTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508393April 16, 2013
STEERING
LOSS OF POWER STEERING..NEARLY A COLLISION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508465April 16, 2013
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE STALLS FROM 1ST GEAR WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THE "SPORT" BUTTON (REGARDLESS OF TERRAIN). COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVE LINE COMBINED WITH THE STANDARD MINI CLUTCH LACK THE FEEL TO THE POINT OF CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT OFTEN CAUSING IT TO STALL. BMW/MINI DEALERSHIPS DENY ANY PROBLEM OCCURRING / EVER HAS OCCURRED. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT NEEDS TO REFLECT VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUES ALREADY IN OPERATION BUILT PRIOR TO THE LISTED DATE. OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM MINI USA: "AS PART OF THE CONTINUAL REFINEMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF MINI VEHICLES, WE HAVE IMPROVED THE TAKE-OFF CONVENIENCE AND PERFORMANCE OF ALL OUR MINI COUNTRYMAN CLUTCHES BY IMPLEMENTING SOME SOFTWARE UPDATES AS WELL AS CHANGING THE CLUTCH FACING MATERIAL TO IMPROVE THE FEELING OF THE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT. WE ARE SURE THAT THESE CHANGES WILL EVEN FURTHER IMPROVE THE CONVENIENCE OF OUR MINI COUNTRYMAN MODELS, AND WILL BE RECOGNIZED AND APPRECIATED BY OUR CUSTOMERS. THESE CHANGES COINCIDE WITH THE START OF PRODUCTION OF OUR MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS COUNTRYMAN AS OF NOVEMBER 2012." *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508490April 16, 2013
ENGINE
THE CAR HAS BEEN SMELLING LIKE BURNT OIL FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP ON SATURDAY. TODAY, TUESDAY, WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO PICK IT UP, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE ARE "LEAKS": 1) WATER PUMP 2) TIMING CHAIN 3) VALVE COVER 4) OIL FEED AND RETURN LINE THE CAR HAS AROUND 36,500 MILES ON IT AND WE ARE LOOKING AT ABOUT 8,000.00 WORTH OF REPAIRS! WHAT??? I PAID ALMOST 30,000.00 FOR THIS CAR AND NOW HAVE TO SPEND ADDITIONAL MONEY TO KEEP IT RUNNING? THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WILL COVER THE FIRST THREE ITEMS ON THE LIST. THE OIL FEED AND RETURN LINE IS NOT CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH AFTER A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH, I FIND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE INVESTIGATED, AS MINI MUST CERTAINLY BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE CUSTOMERS ARE GETTING STUCK PAYING FOR A DESIGN FLAW AND THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AT 36,000 MILES. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR FROM MY DEALER IS 1400.00!! PLEASE DO AN INVESTIGATION AND MAKE THEM REPAIR THIS DEFECT!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508232April 15, 2013
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
GOT IN CAR ONE MORNING AND NOTICED WINDSHIELD HAD CRACKED IN CENTER FROM TOP OF WINDSHIELD AND FROM BOTTOM OF WINDSHIELD, AND I'M HOPING THE CRACK DOESN'T MEET IN THE MIDDLE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508142April 14, 2013
ENGINE
TURBO OIL FEEDLINE / PIPE FAILURE, RESULTING IN LEAK, POSSIBLY DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508106April 13, 2013
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508113April 13, 2013
AIR BAGS, SEATS
IN 2010 MY CAR'S PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING CAME ON AND I TOOK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BECAUSE THE SEAT MAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR HAD FAILED. IN 2013, THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO FIX AT NO CHARGE, AS TO HAVE THE SAME SYSTEM FAIL TWICE ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT SIGNALED A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. MINI REFUSED TO REPAIR AT NO COST AND INSTEAD PROVIDED ME WITH A $1,700 ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND SYSTEM. I HAVE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH MINI USA AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS EFFECTIVELY PERMANENTLY OFF. I HAVE READ ON THIS WEBSITE AND ELSEWHERE THAT MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10506073April 12, 2013
ENGINE
WITHOUT WARNING OR CAUSE, THE TIMING CHAIN & TENSIONER FAILED, WHICH RUINED MY ENGINE. JUST THE TIMING CHAIN COSTS $2000-$3000 TO FIX, BUT SINCE MY ENGINE IS GONE AS WELL THAT NUMBER IS MORE LIKE $6000-$7000. THIS IS A 2007, AND SINKING HALF OF THE VALUE OF THE CAR BACK INTO IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AS OTHERS HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS ISSUE AT VARIOUS MILEAGE STAGES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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